Magda Szubanski reveals ‘very aggressive’ cancer diagnosis
Comedian Magda Szubanksi has announced her devastating diagnosis of a rare cancer that’s “very aggressive” and “very serious”.
Szubanski revealed on Instagram on Thursday that she was about to undergo treatment for stage four mantle cell lymphoma.
The Kath & Kim star described it as a “rare and fast-moving blood cancer”.
Appearing on camera with a bald head, Szubanski said she had shaved off her hair “in anticipation of it all falling out in a couple of weeks”.
“It is one of the nasty ones unfortunately,” she shared with followers.
“But the good thing is I’m surrounded by beautiful friends and family and an incredible medical support team.”
At one point in the video, an emotional Szubanski burst into laughter.
You might like
“You know, I’ve just go to…” she said through a chuckle. “What do you do, what are you gonna do?”
In her attached blurb, Szubanksi explained that she would be undergoing “one of the best treatments available” known as the Nordic protocol.
“I’m lucky to be getting absolutely world-class care here in Melbourne,” she wrote.
“I won’t sugar-coat it: it’s rough. But I’m hopeful. I’m being lovingly cared for by friends and family, my medical team is brilliant.
“I’ve never felt more held by the people around me.
“I’ll be lying very low while my immune system takes a hammering, so if you see me out and about—don’t hug me, kiss me, or breathe anywhere near me!
Stay informed, daily
“Wave enthusiastically from a safe distance and know I love you madly.”
Szubanski said the “obscure cancer” was only discovered incidentally via a breast screen which detected abnormality in her lymph nodes.
“TBH, I’ve been feeling pretty ratshit for ages. So I asked for extra bloods and — voila!
“So the take away is — get tested and listen to your body!
“For now, just know I’m in good hands, good spirits—but I reserve my yuman right to be a cranky old moll.”
She signed off: “Love you all, Mags.”
According to the Leukaemia Foundation, mantle cell lymphoma is relatively uncommon, accounting for 5 to 10 per cent of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas.
Usually the first sign is a painless swelling in the neck, armpit or groin.
“Multiple lymph nodes may be affected as well as other sites of the body including the spleen, bone marrow, blood, tonsils and adenoids, liver, brain, spinal cord and gastrointestinal tract.”
The average age of diagnosis is 60 to 65 years, and it’s two to three times more common in men than in women.
It’s not known what causes the disease.
Szubanski is best known for playing Sharon Strzelecki, the red-headed bowl cutt-wearing friend of Kim in the classic Australian series.
In recent years she also appeared in the ABC series Magda’s Big National Health Check and Nine drama After the Verdict.
